Brownbuilt workers locked out
MELBOURNE — Australian Manufacturing Workers Union members employed by Brownbuilt, which makes filing cabinets and other furniture, are picketing the company's plant in Oakleigh South after being locked out on September 22. The company lock-out notice specifies that it may last six months.
The lockout follows the imposition of some bans by the workers in support of their enterprise agreement demands. They are demanding a 15% pay rise over 33 months and better redundancy provisions. The company has rejecting the demands and is pushing for longer opening hours for the plant, without overtime.
Supporters are urged to visit the picket line in Huntingdale Road, Oakleigh South.
Students protest expulsions
MELBOURNE — High school students met on the steps of state parliament on September 29 to present education minister Mary Delahunty with a letter protesting the expulsion of two high school students for attending the S11 protests.
The expelled students, from St Joseph's catholic school, were summoned to the principal's office, along with their parents, and told either "leave the school of their own free will" or be expelled.
After 45 minutes, an officer of parliament eventually accepted the letter on Delahunty's behalf. If no response is received from the minister or St. Joseph's administration, the students are likely to take further action.
Resistance targets Nike
MELBOURNE — A spontaneous protest action against Nike erupted in Bourke Street on September 29 after Nike store managers ordered staff to wash away anti-Nike slogans chalked on the pavement outside the store. The slogans, which exposed Nike's exploitation of workers in Indonesia, were written by Resistance members during their weekly stall in the mall.
Resistance members spoke out against Nike through a megaphone and continued to write messages on the footpath as quickly as Nike staff could mop them away.
Support for Aboriginal rights
PERTH — Twenty people gathered at the Court Hotel here to discuss the fight against racism in Australia and the ways to challenge this at a September 22 Politics in the Pub organised by Green Left Weekly. Speakers included Dennis Eggington from the Aboriginal Legal Service, Murray Jones from Deaths in Custody Watch Committee and Roberto Jorquera from the Democratic Socialist Party.
Eggington said mandatory sentencing was being implemented in a racist manner. Jorquera pointed out that reconciliation requires more than simply saying "sorry". Institutionalised racism against Aboriginal people needs to be addressed, he said.